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Dracut man charged in cop's assault denied officer's records

By Lisa Redmond, lredmond@lowellsun.com

Posted:
07/19/2014 06:35:53 AM EDT

LOWELL -- A Lowell District Court judge on Friday denied a 64-year-old Dracut man's request for personnel records and any Internal Affairs reports for a Lowell police officer who was allegedly assaulted by Hossein Abolhassani during a routine traffic stop.

m. on Dec. 12, Manousos was in a cruiser monitoring traffic at the intersection of VFW Highway and Bridge Street when Abolhassani, driving a gray Volvo, tried to get through the traffic light on the Cox Bridge but blocked traffic.

Manousos issued Abolhassani a citation, and as he was walking back to his cruiser, the officer alleges Abolhassani got out of his car and walked to the cruiser. Abolhassani allegedly began to scream profanities at the officer, court documents allege. The officer warned him to get back into his car or he'd be charged with disorderly conduct.

As Abolhassani returned to his car, Manousos pulled his cruiser into traffic so Abolhassani could drive away safely, but instead Abolhassani got out of his car and walked to the cruiser, again yelling profanities at the officer, court documents allege.

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As Abolhassani allegedly got in the officer's face, Manousos grabbed Abolhassani's hand and tried to grab his arm, documents state. Abolhassani broke free and allegedly caught the officer in the chin, documents state.

During a struggle to handcuff Abolhassani, both men went to the ground. As the struggle continued, Abolhassani allegedly curled into the fetal position to avoid being handcuffed but was eventually handcuffed.

Although admitting he could find no negative incidents against Manousos during an Internet search, Mixon argued in court on Friday he wants the police personnel and Internal Affairs records to see if there have been incidents involving the officer that were not made public.

Mixon told Judge Ellen Caulo that it is "almost beyond belief" that Abolhassani, who stands 5-feet 5-inches tall and 135 pounds, would assault the bigger and more muscular Manousos.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office and an attorney representing the city opposed the request saying there are no grounds to allow it.

"The only basis for the request is the difference in size?" Caulo asked Mixon. The judge denied the request.